Ratchet wrench



Nov. 12, 1935. G. R. GAGNE 2,020,883

RATCHET WRENCH Filed March 26, 1934 5 g Gideon 5.6a 71 i 15v Patented Nov. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT *orFrcE amass u naronar wmmon Gideon R. Gasne. 'Kenosha, Wis. assignor to Snap-on Tools, Inc., Kenolha, Wis a corpora,

tion of Delaware Application March 26,

10 Claims.

'I'hisinvention relates to ratchet devices and, more particularly to reversible ratchets for wrenches, although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other p poses.

It contemplates more especially the provision of an improved ratchet device capable of instantaneous adjustment to enable reversal without withdrawal or change in position of its application for nut turning or other purposes.

With certain ratcheting. devices, it is necessary to withdraw the wrench or lever from registry with the nut to permit the reversed application thereof so that turning in an opposite direction may be effected. Then, too, several sets of pawls have been resorted to in effecting reversal by independent adjusted engagement; however, such expedients in their known form have not proven entirely satisfactory owing to the intricate construction thereof which is not conducive to dependable and rapid operation.

Then, too, it is important in ratchet devices to have the best possible distribution of forces, stresses and strains so that wear will be reduced to the minimum and the greatest possible capacity provided for a device of the smallest and most compact design. Minimizing the number of parts also contributes to the efficiency of a tool of this character and reduces its cost of production so that the greatest possible work load is accomplished with a tool of minimum cost, size and'number of working parts. This is accomplished by providing the pawl in a position relative to the nut turning axis so as to afford the largest possible turning couple, thereby minimizing the load carrying requirements of the pawl and, therefore, imparting the greatest possible loadcharacteristics thereto. a

As for reversible ratchets, the present invention greatly simplifies the structure and renders the operation more dependable without possible accidental displacement of thedirectional ratchet control. This is an important factor in'ratchet wrenches owing to the fact that they are employed in restricted locations where their manipulation is diillcult and adjustments found inconvenient. The instant invention primarily provides a less expensive and more dependable'device which is an important commercial consideration from the standpoint of production costs,, although the One object of the present invention is to 1934, Serial nohumas (01. 81 -63) simplify the construction and improve the opera tion of devices of the character mentioned.

Another object is to provide an inexpensive ratchet which is readily reversible and dependable in maintaining its adjusted position. 5

Still another object is to provide a ratchet having a unitary adjustment "for efiecting reversal without withdrawing the device from turning registry.

A further object is the provision of a ratchet 10 having a unitary exteriorly accessible adjustment to control the ratcheting direction without accidental variation therein.

A still further object is to provide a reversible ratchet composed of minimum parts and having 16 the pawl thereof so positioned as to impart thereto the greatest possible turning couple relative to the nut turning axis for the purpose set forth.

Still a further object is to provide a novel ratcheting arrangement so that the pawl cooperates with the ratchet teeth at a point imparting the greatestpossible turning couple relative to the nut turning axis.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative em- 25 bodiment of the present invention:

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially 30 along line 11-11 of Figure 1, the detachable socket being shown in dotted outline.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line III-J11 of Figure 2, the pawl being disposed in a position to eifect nut turning dis- 85 engagement.

Figure l is a sectional view similar to Figure 3, showing the pawl disposed in its substantially neutral position to allow the wrench handle to be ratcheted in a clockwise direction before another 0 bite is effected to continue the disengagement of the nut.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 4 with the pawl about ready to engage in a direction opposite that disclosed in 45 Figure 3, to accomplish nut turning for engaging purposes.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 5 with the pawl completely reversed in its directional position to effect nut turning for engaging purposes.

Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3 with a double pawl arrangement for increasing the load characteristics and to render such oparable responsive to a single control.

The structure selected for illustration comprises a handle body iii, in this instance of circular or cylindrical configuration, which is suitably recessed to define a circular chamber ll open on both sides for the reception of a revoluble member i2. The member i2 is retained within the chamber ll of the body ill by means of a pair of confronting face plates l3 and t4 which conform in contour with the shouldered peripheries l5 defining the openings in the body III to enable access to the chambered interior H. While the face plates l3 and i4 conform in contour with the openings I! of the body l6, they are somewhat larger to enable the pressed application for telescopic reception in frictional engagement with the chamber peripheries i6 presenting a shoulder against which the plates l3 and I4 are pressed to preclude accidental removal of the revoluble'member l2.

To this end, the confronting surfaces of the face plates I3 and H are axially apertured to provide aligned bores l6 in communication with the interior of the chamber ll, thereby rotatively receiving the correspondingly shaped hubs ll of the revoluble member i2 journalled therein. As shown, the revoluble member l2 terminates in an axially extending shank it which preferably is provided with a spring impelled detent is for frictionally receiving and retaining a nut turning socket 20 in detachable association therewith.

A handle member 2i extends from the body Ill and is integrally or otherwise associated therewith to impart oscillatory movement thereto To enable ratcheting of the revoluble member i2 in opposed directions by selective adjustment, the interior periphery of the circular body III is provided with a series of radially extending ratchet teeth 22 cut or otherwise formed for extension therefrom to present engagement with a pawl 23 as will appear more fully hereinafter. As shown, the pawl 23 has oppositely directed or diverging teeth 24 and 25 with an intermediate projection 26 of curved contour to confront the ratchet teeth extremities and to contact teeth so as to serve as a fulcrum for pivoting the pawl 23 so that the pawl teeth 24 or 25 engage between adjacent ratchet teeth 22 depending upon the desired directional ratcheting for nut turning by resort to the socket 20 carried by the shank Ill.

The remaining surface 21 of the pawl 23 is circular or cylindrical within a common circumference so as to serve as a complement of a semicircular groove or recess 23 provided along the edge of the revoluble member i2. The circular groove or recess 28 communicates, in this instance, with a slot 29 which extends radially from the periphery of the revoluble member (2 to the axis thereof, it being preferably of variable cross provided therein. The axial bore 30 in the revoluble member I2, is closed on all sides except the end thereof so as to receive a knob or adjusting member 3| having a shank 32 to control the directional rotation of the revoluble member l2 that carries the socket 20 on its shank l8.

The pawl teeth 24 and 25 are sufficiently spaced to enable the desired rotary throw of the head It! for ratcheting purposes without interference with the inactive pawl tooth, thereby partially rotating the pawl 23 about its curved confronting surfaces 26 and 21 responsive thereto until .the next succesive ratchet tooth 22 is engaged. To maintain the pawl 23 stationary and, in adjusted positions for the desired directional ratcheting,

a tubularsleeve 33 projects through a transverse aperture provided in the knob adiusting shank 32 so as to be lodged in the tapered slot 26 to extend within the range of and register with a a slot 34 disposed transversely through the center ofthe pawl 23 intermediate the ends thereof.

A pin 33 is reciprocally mounted within the sleeve 33 so that the pointed extremity 33 thereof will contact with the bottom of the pawl slot 10 34. The pin extremity 36 contacts or engages the pawl 23 on either side of its center line which is in confronting relation with the tooth fulcrum 23 thereof, thereby holding or tending to hold the pawl 23 in an inclined position so that one of 15 its teeth 24 or 26 is in engagement with a ratchet tooth 22, this urge being imparted by means of a coiled spring 31 which is confined within the sleeve 36 beneath the pin 36 so as to normally urge the latter outwardly in the direction of the 20 pawl 23.

A plurality of pawls 23' (Figure 7) may be utilized in a manner similar to the single pawl 23 described supra, it being merely necessary to duplicate the pawl tooth and pawl adjusting posi- 23 tioning member so as to extend along different radii or in a diametral line depending upon the number of pawls desired to carry any particular load. Should it be desired to have a' pair of pawls 23', these may be disposed. along the di- 30 ametral line and the single adjusting knob 3| through its shank 32 utilized for the purpose of displacing the pawls 23' to their desired position for ratcheting in one direction or the other.

with the arrangement of parts above described, as any suitable device for turning may be detachably or otherwise associated with the revoluble member l2. The rotation of the adjusting knob'3l in one direction or the other as indicated by indexing indicia 33 preferably inscribed on the surface 40 thereof, determines the position of the pawl 23 so that one or the other of the teeth 24-25 are in engagement with or between the. ratchet teeth 22. Thereupon, the handle 2| may be oscillated to either turn a nut or other device in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

In order to guide the adjustment of the pawl 23, indicia 33 in this instance directional On" and Oi'f" indicators are impressed in .the knob surface 3|. Movement of the knob 3| in a clockwise direction indicated by directional indicator "off" (viewed from Figure 6) will cause the pawl tooth 24 to engage the ratchet teeth 22 for rotating the revoluble member l2 in an opposite or counter-clockwise direction. Opposite pawl ad- 5 justment indicated by the directional indicator on" places the pawl tooth 26 in engagement with the ratchet teeth 22 for rotating the revoluble member l2 in a clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 3) to tighten or turn a nut on a right- 6 handed threaded member.

It is thus apparent that the knob adjusting member 3| enables the ratchet to function in opposed directions by a single and durable pawl 23 easily adjusted for the purpose set forth and without possible accidental displacement owing to the fact that the pin extremity 36 isresiliently urged to assume a displaced position in the direction of pawl tooth engagement. A coiled spring 31 serves, therefore, to impart an urge to the pawl 23 in one direction or the other depending upon the position of the latter.

The position of pawl engagement with the teeth 22 is such as to be substantially removed from the axis of rotation of the revoluble member i2 or its socket 20, thereby providing the longest turning arm or couple that is conductive to carrying a large load with minimum stress and strain owing to the advantageous leverage action. This, coupled with a very durable pawl 23 of the type described, directs the full load along a diametral pawl whereon the surfaces are solid and curved to provide the largest possible bearing area. Such arrangement is conducive of maximum capacity' with minimum wear and strain upon the coacting elements or parts of the ratcheting devices. Then, too, the number of moving parts is reduced to a minimum and such are of a character that eliminates any appreciablewear thereon.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims. I

I claim:

1. In a wrench, the combination with a handle, of a wrench head associated with said handle, a circumferential series of ratchet teeth in said wrench head, a revoluble member journalled in said wrench head, a pawl associated with said revoluble member for cooperation with said ratchet teeth, means on said pawl to confront said ratchet teeth to serve as a fulcrum abutment against said ratchet teeth, and means for shifting said pawl about said last named fulcrum means from one position to another.

2. In a wrench, the combination with a. handle, of a wrench head associated with said handle, a circumferential series of ratchet teeth in said wrench head, a revoluble member journalled in said wrench head, a pawl associated with said revoluble member for cooperation with said ratchet teeth, fulcrum means on said pawl to confront said ratchet teeth for cooperation therewith, and exteriorly accessible means axially associated with said revoluble member for adjusting the position of said pawl to regulate the direction of ratcheting;

3. Ina wrench, the combination with a handle, of a wrench head associated with said handle, a circumferential series of ratchet teeth in said wrench head, a revoluble member journalled in said wrench head, a pawl associated with said revoluble member for cooperation with said ratchet teeth, fulcrum means on said pawl to confront said ratchet teeth for cooperation therewith, spring impelled means in said revoluble member to abut against said pawl to regulate the ratcheting direction thereof and exteriorly accessible means associated axially with said revoluble member for adjusting the position of said spring impelled means to regulate the direction of ratcheting.

4. In a wrench, the combina ion with a handle, of a wrench head associated with said handle, a circumferential series of ratchet teeth in said wrench head, a revoluble member journalled in said wrench head, a pawl pivotally associated with the periphery of said revoluble member for cooperation with said ratchet teeth, and spring impelled means disposed radially in said revoluble member for communication with said pawl for maintaining the adjusted position thereof, a sleeve in said revoluble member for slidably receiving said spring impelled means. and a cam adjusting rod journalled axially within said revoluble member for pivotally adjusting the position of said pawl through the medium of said sleeve to regulate the direction of ratcheting.

5. In a wrench, the combination with a handle,

. of a wrench head associated with said handle, a

circumferential series of ratchet teeth in said wrench head, a revoluble member journalled in said wrench head, a pawl having an arcuate body, there being a curved groove in the periphery of said revoluble member to constitute a comp1ement of the arcuate pawl body for rotatively receiving and sustaining said pawl, and means including a member extending radially through said revoluble member to communicate with said 10 groove therein for adjusting the angular position of said pawl relative to said ratchet teeth to regulate the direction of ratcheting.

6. In a wrench, the combination with a handle, of a wrench head associated with said handle, a 15 circumferential series of ratchet teeth in said wrench head, a revoluble member journalled in said wrench head so'that the periphery thereof confronts said ratchet teeth, a pawl having an arcuate body, there being a curved groove in the 20 periphery of said revoluble member to constitute a complement of the arcuate pawl body for rotatively receiving and sustaining said pawl, and exteriorly accessible means journalled axially within said revoluble member to radially com- 25 municate with the curved groove in said revoluble member for adjusting the angular position of said pawl relative to said teeth to regulate the direction of ratcheting.

'7. In a wrench, the combination with a handle, 30 of a wrench head associated with said handle, a circumferential series of ratchet teeth in said wrench head, a revoluble member journalled in said wrench head, a pawl having an arcuate body, there being a curved groove in the periphery of said revoluble member for rotatively receiving said pawl, a ridge on said pawl opposite to the arcuate body thereof to serve as a fulcrum relative to said teeth, and spring impelled means for adjusting the angular position of said pawl to regulate the direction of ratcheting.

8. In a wrench, the combination with a. handle, of a wrench head associated with said handle, a circumferential series of ratchet teeth in said wrench head, a revoluble member journalled in 5 said wrench head, a pawl having an arcuate body, there being a curved groove in the periphery of said revoluble member for rotatively receiving said pawl, a pair of angularly related tee h on said pawl, a curved ridge intermediate said teeth to serve as a fulcrum for said pawl about a ratchet tooth extremity, and spring impelled means for adjusting the angular position of said pawl to regulate the direction of ratcheting.

9. In a wrench, the combination with a handle, of a wrench head associated with said handle, a circumferential series of ratchet teeth in said wrench head, a revoluble member journalled in said wrench head, a pawl having an arcuate body, there being a curved groove in the periphery of said revoluble member for rotatively receiving said pawl, a pair of angularly related teeth on said pawl, a curved ridge intermediate said teeth to serve as a fulcrum for said pawl about a ratchet tooth extremity, and spring impelled means for adjusting the angular position of said pawl to regulate the direction of ratcheting, said pawl adjusting means including a pin disposed radially within said revoluble member to contact with said pawl laterally of its axis of rotation.

10. Ina wrench, the combination with a handle, of a wrench head associated with said handle, a circumferential series of ratchet teeth in said wrench head, a revoluble member journalled in 4 aoa ssa said w'rench head, a pawl having an arcuate body, there being a curved groove in the periphery of said revoluble member for rotatively receiving said pawl, and means journalled axially within said revoluble member for adjusting the angular position of said pawl to regulate thedirection of ratcheting, said pawl adjusting means including a, pin disposed radially through said revoluble member between said pawl and adjusting means. spring means for normally urging said pin minst said pawl laterally of its axis of rotation, and a sleeve connected to said axial adjusting means to receive said spring impelled radial pin for lateral 5 

